Network Architecture

The Network Architecture defines the operational environment in which the Forge runtime executes.

Forge is designed for real-world networks rather than ideal ones.

Agents may execute behind NAT, enterprise firewalls, cloud infrastructure, research networks, consumer broadband, or mobile connections.

The runtime therefore assumes network variability as a normal operating condition rather than an exceptional failure.

Networks change.

Execution continues.

The Network Problem

Planetary execution depends on communication across infrastructure that is neither homogeneous nor fully trusted.

Connections may experience:

packet loss
fluctuating latency
changing bandwidth
dynamic addressing
NAT traversal
intermittent connectivity
regional outages

The runtime cannot require ideal networking conditions.

The Network Architecture defines the assumptions that allow execution to remain operational despite these realities.

Network Philosophy

The network is an execution environment.

It is not part of execution semantics.

Execution Contracts, Execution Evidence, and Canonical Results remain independent of network quality.

Network conditions influence operational efficiency.

They must never redefine execution meaning.

Relationship to the Runtime

The Network Architecture provides the environment in which the Transport Layer operates.

text

Runtime Components
        │
        ▼
Transport Layer
        │
        ▼
Network Environment
        │
        ▼
Internet Infrastructure

The network provides connectivity.

The Transport Layer preserves execution continuity across that connectivity.

Primary Responsibilities

Connectivity Assumptions

Forge assumes outbound Internet connectivity rather than inbound accessibility.

Agents initiate communication.

The runtime never depends on inbound connections to participating infrastructure.

NAT Independence

The runtime is designed to operate across common NAT environments.

Supported deployment models include:

residential NAT
carrier-grade NAT
enterprise NAT
cloud NAT
dual-stack environments

NAT traversal is considered a baseline architectural requirement.

Enterprise Compatibility

Forge is intended to operate within enterprise environments.

Typical deployments include:

corporate networks
research institutions
universities
government infrastructure
private cloud
hybrid cloud

Outbound connectivity minimizes operational friction.

Network Diversity

The runtime assumes infrastructure diversity.

Supported environments include:

IPv4
IPv6
dual-stack networks
fiber
broadband
mobile
satellite
cloud interconnects

Network diversity should not require architectural changes.

Operational Continuity

Communication quality changes continuously.

The runtime tolerates:

latency variation
temporary congestion
routing changes
bandwidth fluctuation
transient disconnects

Operational adaptation belongs to the runtime.

Execution semantics remain unchanged.

Connectivity Model

The runtime follows one communication model.

text

Agent
   │
Outbound Secure Session
   │
Transport Layer
   │
Hub
   │
Runtime

This model allows Agents to participate without exposing inbound services.

Operational Expectations

Typical operating envelopes include:

Latency

Interactive workloads generally tolerate wide latency ranges through scheduling and transport adaptation.

Bandwidth

Bandwidth requirements depend primarily on workload characteristics rather than runtime architecture.

Large media and scientific datasets naturally benefit from greater throughput.

Packet Loss

Packet loss is expected.

Transport recovery mechanisms preserve communication continuity.

Jitter

Scheduling and transport are designed to tolerate moderate jitter without affecting execution semantics.

Failure Model

The Network Architecture assumes imperfect communication.

Examples include:

packet loss
congestion
dynamic routing
ISP interruption
temporary isolation
NAT rebinding
mobile network transitions
regional outages

These events influence communication quality.

They should not compromise execution correctness.

Runtime Observability

The runtime continuously observes network behavior.

Examples include:

round-trip latency
packet loss
bandwidth utilization
congestion events
jitter
reconnect frequency
session quality

These signals provide operational visibility without affecting execution semantics.

Relationship to Transport

The Network Architecture and Transport Layer solve different problems.

Network Architecture	Transport Layer
Defines network assumptions	Preserves communication continuity
Describes operating environment	Implements runtime communication
Assumes imperfect infrastructure	Adapts to infrastructure conditions
Does not move execution	Moves execution safely

Architectural Guarantees

The Network Architecture is designed to preserve:

outbound-first connectivity
NAT-friendly deployment
heterogeneous network support
enterprise compatibility
observable network behavior
operational continuity across changing conditions

These guarantees define the runtime's networking model independently of any specific provider.

Architectural Non-Goals

The Network Architecture intentionally does not:

require inbound ports
require static IP addresses
assume homogeneous networks
guarantee low latency
replace the Transport Layer
define execution semantics

Networks provide the environment.

They do not define execution.

How to Verify Network Behavior

A technical evaluator can validate the networking model by observing one Agent under constrained conditions.

Suggested verification path:

Run an Agent behind NAT.
Confirm outbound-only connectivity.
Introduce packet loss or latency.
Observe Transport Layer recovery.
Verify uninterrupted execution.
Inspect communication telemetry.
Compare Execution Evidence before and after recovery.

The observed behavior should correspond to the architecture described in this document.

Continue with:

Final Mental Model

The Forge runtime is designed around real-world networks rather than ideal ones.

Infrastructure changes.

Connectivity fluctuates.

Execution continues.

That resilience defines the Forge Network Architecture.

Network Architecture ​

The Network Problem ​

Network Philosophy ​

Relationship to the Runtime ​

Primary Responsibilities ​

Connectivity Assumptions ​

NAT Independence ​

Enterprise Compatibility ​

Network Diversity ​

Operational Continuity ​

Connectivity Model ​

Operational Expectations ​

Latency ​

Bandwidth ​

Packet Loss ​

Jitter ​

Failure Model ​

Runtime Observability ​

Relationship to Transport ​

Architectural Guarantees ​

Architectural Non-Goals ​

How to Verify Network Behavior ​

Related Documentation ​

Final Mental Model ​